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Founding of Jamestown was the first permanent English settlement in America. Jamestown (Virginia) struggled at first because it was founded during the starving times. -
The Headright System gave people land to come to the Americas. People accepted this because England's land was basically all owned. With land came opportunity and new settlers were given 100 acres each. -
Issued by the British, the Proclamation of 1763 was to prevent Native Americans from attacking the Colonists. The proclamation stated that no colonists were allowed to go past the Appalachian Mountains where the Native Americans lived. This was passed just after the French and Indian war. Many colonists did not appreciate this law because it limited their farmland and trade options. -
In order to help pay for the money lost in the Seven Year War, the British enabled the Sugar Act. Taxes were put on sugar in the colonies. This act was also established to eliminate smuggling on sugar and molasses. Many colonists were not happy with this act because citizens who lived in England were not nearly being as highly taxed as them. Merchants were not pleased because they would not make as much profit due to there being no more sugar smuggling. -
In response to the riots of the Currency and Sugar Acts, the British Parliament passed the Stamp Act. This was the first serious attempt to assert governmental authority. This Act passed that all legal documents and papers had to have an official stamp. The British also taxed all papers due to the debt of the Seven Year War increasing. -
The Quartering Act was an Act to be more affective on the Colonists' rebellions. This Act was passed to let any British soldier be allowed to enter and stay in any colonist's house. However, they would mainly stay in middle class houses. This was because they were nicer and most rebels lived in those houses. They tried to see if they could get anything "scoop" on what colonists thought or what rebellion they were going to do next. -
Taxes on glass, paint, oil, lead, paper, and tea were applied with the design of raising £40,000 a year for the administration of the colonies. The result was the resurrection of colonial hostilities created by the Stamp Act. -
The Boston Massacre was a street fight that occurred on March 5, 1770, between a "patriot" mob, throwing snowballs, stones, and sticks, and a squad of British soldiers. The soldiers got scared and started firing shots. Several colonists were killed and this led to a campaign to remove the British from the Colonies. The famous drawing of the Boston Massacre was drawn by Paul Revere from what he remembered. He referred to it as the Bloody Massacre. -
In response to the Tea act, the colonists disguised themselves as Indians in the middle of the night to sneak onto British ships. They then dumped 342 chests of tea into the Boston Harbor. Not a single colonist was identified because they looked like Indians. It was later realized that the Sons of Liberty took place in this riot. -
Parliament released the Intolerable Acts because they were punishments for the colonists' riots. For example, they banned any trading from the Boston Harbor. At the time, this harbor generated the most trade and income. They brought in more soldiers to try and control the colonists as well. -
The "Shot heard 'round the World" was the first gun shot at the start of the Revolutionary War. Nobody knows who shot the gun nor which side shot it. It took place between Lexington and Concord when the Red Coats and Minutemen first clashed. -
Colonists come together to declare an open rebellion. The delegates but Thomas Jefferson in charge to write the Declaration of Independence. The thought that all men were equal and that government exist to serve the people was revolutionary in a world dominated by monarchy. -
Common Sense lays out a passionate case for independence in the language of common people. It was also written to try and create a democratic republic after declaring independence. -
The Declaration of Independence was the founding document of America. The colonists had declared their separation from the British when the document was approved by the Continental Congress. -
This represents the turning point in the war. British General, John Burgoyne, plans to move south while two other armies meet up with them to face the continentals. The two other armies don't show up and Burgoyne is forced to surrender. -
General Cornwallis of Britain retreated to the coast of Yorktown, Virginia for the winter. He was not aware that the French Navy defeated the British fleet at the Battle of the Capes. He gets cornered by the French and colonists. He refuses to surrender so another soldier did it for him. -
The Treaty of Paris officially ended the revolutionary war. The newly created United States of America are granted all British lands between the Atlantic Ocean, the Mississippi River and north to British Canada -
To decide how to have representation, Virginia thought that representation in the House and Senate should be based on Population. This favored the larger states. -
There were more slaves what free men in some states. It was decided that they were not considered a whole person and their vote could be 3/5th of a person. -
In rejection to the Virginia Plan, the state of New Jersey came up with their own. They thought that the House and the Senate should have equal representation. They knew that population was not in their favor, so they would have been overruled by the bigger states. -
This was the solution to the two other plans. It stated that the Senate would have equal representation with two votes per state. The House would be population based. -
The Constitution allows Congress to create departments to help the President. The First Presidential Cabinet had four departments: defense, state, treasury, and attorney. Washington was smart enough to know that he could not lead a country on his own. The Cabinet helped him make decisions that would later shape America and its government. -
In order to repair relations with the French, Adams sends three unknown diplomats (XYZ) to negotiate a treaty. The French demand a "gift" (bribe) of $250,000 before they would negotiate. The diplomats refused and told Congress. Americans wanted war but Adams avoids it by negotiating peace with Napoleon. -
The Alien Act allowed the President to deport any alien (immigrant) considered dangerous. The Sedition Act made it illegal for newspapers to print any material that's critical of the president or congress. The Naturalization Act increased the amount of time immigrants had to live in the U.S. before they could become citizens, These were enacted to make Adams be able to win the election which failed. -
The End of the Federalist Era, Jefferson would win the election of 1800. The Federalists had been in power for 12 years. Jefferson's win was considered the Revolution of 1800 because he took down the Federalist Party. Jefferson was also the first president inaugurated in Washington D.C. -
The Supreme Court sides with Madison and refuses to grant Marbury the position based on the fact that they find part of the Judiciary Act unconstitutional and therefore void. In doing so, the Supreme Court claims the right of "Judicial Review" or the right to declare laws unconstitutional and strike them down. -
Jefferson worries that the U.S could lose control of New Orleans and access to the Mississippi river. He sends James Monroe to negotiate the purchase of New Orleans for $3 million. Napoleon was not interested unless they take the Louisiana Territory for $15 million. Jefferson's dilemma was that the Constitution never mentioned acquiring land as new power. He puts aside his own strict views for what he believes is best for the country. -
Jefferson sends Lewis and Clark to explore the new territory from the Louisiana Purchase. They were also assigned to begin trading relationships with Native Americans, find water routes to the Pacific, and map out the new areas. -
British Navy is stealing American ships and sailors which is impressment. British are also supporting Native American resistance and providing them artillery. Americans demand respect and want to show the revolution was not luck. However, the military and navy are poorly trained. -
Tecumseh of the Native Americans dies. America defeats natives and British in Canada putting an end to Native resistance. -
The British Army invades the U.S. and captures Washington D.C. Nearly all buildings were burned. Dolly Madison became a social hero after directing people to get nonreplaceable items out of the White House. -
British bombards Fort McHenry . The American Flag still flies over the fort even though the fort was destroyed. Soldiers were still manning cannons and defended the Chesapeake Bay. -
No further colonization of European countries in the Americas. Americas would now not colonize in Europe. America earns England's respect. -
Unaware of the Treaty of Ghent, fighting still continued. Andrew Jackson brings together a ton of criminals and menaces to fight the British. They end up defeating the very large army of British soldiers. -
The Embargo Act of 1807 stops all foreign trades and hurts port cities who depend on trade for revenue. However, innovation in America flourishes. Investment money from Europe flows back into American businesses after the war as well. -
Andrew Jackson had the most electoral and popular votes. However, he did not have the majority vote. The 12th Amendment states vote goes to the House of Representatives if there is no majority win. Henry Clay drops out of the run and speaks to Adams privately. The next day, Adams has Clay's full support. Adams ends up winning the election. -
Henry Clay has a vision for a strong national economy and recognizes the government's role in creating a positive environment in which businesses can flourish. The "American System" provides a strong central bank, protective tariffs, and the revenue raised by tariffs goes to stronger transportation. -
Any man that was white and a citizen could vote. Jackson wanted to recreate the old Jeffersonian coalition. The first modern campaigns were advertised and Jackson won the election. -
After taking office, Jackson fired over 200 governmental employees. He replaced them with people who supported him. People ended up accusing Jackson of not recruiting qualified men. Jackson called it "Rotation in Office". -
Congress sails through votes to get rid of the Indians. The Cherokee Nation sues the federal government. John Marshall says the Native-Americans are a domestic dependent nation and says America is being unconstitutional. Jackson says to Marshall, "John Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it." That is like telling someone, "who do you think you are?" -
Many technological advancements occurred including the cotton gin which was created by Eli Whitney. The steam engine, sewing machine, and the reaper were also innovated during this time. -
The era of canals is over with the beginning of cheaper, faster railroads. Railroads (powered by steam engines) made it possible to easily ship and receive goods in towns without rivers or canals. -
South Carolina was still upset about the "Tariff of Abominations". They threatened to nullify the law. John C. Calhoun believes it is unconstitutional. Jackson believed in preserving the Union and fought nullification. -
Jackson recommended to Congress to reduce the Tariff of 1828 and make a new one (Tariff of 1832). South Carolina was not pleased with the new tariff either. They said it was oppressive, so the state passed the Nullification Ordinance in 1832 and threatened to secede. Jackson then declares secession treason meaning they would be hung. -
The Temperance Movement was a belief of alcohol ruining the United States. Many people (especially women) thought it was apart of poverty. Many women considered it the root of all social evil. -
Jackson asked Congress to grant him the ability to use military force to compel South Carolina to accept and follow the law. Meanwhile Henry Clay proposed the Compromise Tariff. It would reduce tariffs significantly over the next ten years. South Carolina repeals its ordinance. -
Chief Justice John Marshall presides over the Supreme Court from 1801-1835. He was involved with McCulloh vs Maryland, Gibbons vs. Ogden, and Fletcher vs. Peck. -
The telegraph is invented by Samuel Morse which sends messages through a wire. The U.S. Postal System is also created. It links every area of the nation and allows for commercial communication and personal correspondence. -
Immigration and high birth rates contribute to a very high population growth. By 1850, half of the population lived outside of the 13 colonies. The rising population led to more urbanization. -
With the growth of the cotton in the South, textile factories sprang up to spin the cotton into fabric. Factories led to longer work hours, division in social classes, new sensitivity to time, and early labor unions. -
A book by Jacob Riis, "How the Other Half Lives" is full of pictures of those who live in tenement housing during the progressive era. Another book like this is called "The Shame of Cities", where Lincoln Steffans exposes political corruption and other issues during the progressive era. -
Theodore Roosevelt, Undersecretary of the Navy, had been pushing for the war as long and hard as anyone. When the war looked inevitable, he resigned his post in order to go fight. Roosevelt, eager for battle, forms a cavalry troop of western cowboys, which are nicknamed “The Rough Riders”. Roosevelt and his “Rough Riders” helped take the Spanish held high ground of Kettle Hill. -
In February 1898, government officials received a stolen letter sent by the Spanish minister in Washington. The letter called President McKinley a ‘would be politician’ and admitted that Spain had no intentions of honoring a deal with the U.S aimed at humanitarian relief for the Cuban people. -
Due to the revolts in Cuba and the de Lome letter, America takes action. The U.S Navy destroyed Spanish fleets on both fronts, crippling Spain’s ability to fight the war, and stranding its army in Cuba with no way to escape and no way to resupply. After a few short but brutal battles, 24,000 Spanish soldiers cut off from their navy and stranded in Cuba, surrendered on July 17th. -
Journalists who show a light on the issues which society had ignored. They were crusaders and fought for reform. A few well known crusaders were Jacob Riis and Lewis Hine -
Using the Sherman Antitrust Act, Roosevelt begins to break up what he considers ‘bad trusts’, but allows ‘good trusts’ to continue. Over 40 antitrust lawsuits were filed under Roosevelt. -
Roosevelt invited representatives from Russia and Japan to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the Russo-Japanese war. The treaty is signed and Roosevelt received a Nobel Peace Prize. -
Henry Ford introduced the Model T in 1908 for $850. Using scientific management and creating a moving assembly line, he was able to reduce the time it takes to produce a Model T from 12 hours, to 90 minutes. Ford proceeded to reduce the price to only $280. -
The Taft Dollar Diplomacy gave money and guaranteeing loans to foreign countries. The goal was to strengthen economic ties, garner goodwill, and earn the U.S. preferential treatment in trade negotiations. -
Angry over Taft’s failure to adopt or extend Roosevelt’s policies, T.R. challenges Taft for the Republican nomination. When the Republican party backs Taft, Roosevelt enter the race anyway under the newly created ‘Bull Moose Party’. However, the votes between the Republicans now split between the two candidates and Woodrow Wilson is declared President. -
The Underwood Tariff Bill lowered tariffs and instituted the nation’s first income tax under the 16th Amendment. Woodrow Wilson believed that lowering tariffs would lead manufacturers to produce better products and to lower prices in order to be competitive with foreign goods. -
The 18th Amendment (Volstead Act) gets passed outlawing the manufacture, sale, distribution or importation of alcohol nationwide. However, alcohol consumption went up and there was more organized crime in order to distribute alcohol. -
A leader in the black community, Marcus Garvey led the ‘Back to Africa’ movement. He urged African Americans to create settlements in Africa. Labeled a radical agitator, Garvey was eventually convicted of tax evasion and deported to Jamaica. -
With very little evidence, the two alien immigrants, and admitted anarchists, were charged with the murder of an employee of a shoe store during an armed robbery. They were found guilty and sentenced to death. Their deaths sparked widespread protests and debate about civil rights. -
The Immigration Act of 1924 limited the number of immigrants who can come to the U.S. to only 2% of the number of people from that country as of 1890. It completely excluded immigrants from Asia. -
During the 1920s, the KKK reaches up to 5 million members. To show how mainstream they are, the KKK marches down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington D.C with 50,000 members. The group is willing to use violence, intimidation, and political means to achieve their ends. -
A town in Tennessee banned the teaching of evolution. A local science teacher, John Scopes, taught it anyway. He was charged and brought to trial and was found guilty. However, the case heightened tensions and sparked a debate that persists even today. -
His popularity soars because of his criticism of, and refusal to adhere to, the Treaty of Versailles. Hitler soon ordered a program of rearming Germany. When Hitler visits a factory, he is enthusiastically greeted. Many Germans were grateful for jobs after the misery of the depression years. -
The Rhineland was a region of Germany that was “demilitarized” after the Treaty of Versailles. Germany wasn’t allowed to have troops in the region. However, Hitler’s actions showed how he was willing to directly challenge the treaty. -
In 1938, Germany crossed into Austria to team up with them. This went against the terms of the Treaty of Versailles which banned Germany from uniting with Austria. However, the arrival of German troops was met with great enthusiasm by many Austrian people. -
Hitler and Stalin signed a nonaggression pact. They promised that neither country would attack the other in the event of war. As part of the deal, Hitler promised Stalin part of Poland, which he planned to invade soon. -
The pact allowed Germany to march into Poland without fear of an attack from Russia. On September 3rd, 1939, Germany invaded Poland and started a War with Britain and France. -
Hitler has ordered the occupation of a part of Czechoslovakia known as the Sudetenland (October 1938). Many hoped that this would be the last conquest of the Nazis. However, in March 1939, he ordered his troops to take over the remainder of Czechoslovakia. -
In May 1940, Germany used Blitzkrieg tactics to attack France and the Netherlands. British troops were forced to retreat from the beaches of Dunkirk in northern France. -
The productive capacity of the United States during World War II surpassed all expectations. Americans at home were asked to conserve materials and to accept ration coupons or stamps that limited the purchase of certain products. American responses to rationing varied from cheerful compliance to resigned grumbling to instances of black market subversion and profiteering. -
FDR signed Executive Order 8802 which eliminated discriminatory hiring practices in the government and forced companies to hire blacks so the nation could meet wartime production quotas. Black employment then doubled during WWII. -
For the following nine months, the German air force launched repeated bombing raids on British towns and cities. This was known as the BLITZ and was an attempt to bomb Britain into submission. -
In May, 1941, Hitler ordered a change of tactics. He decided to halt the bombing of Britain and launch an attack against Russia. He betrayed Stalin and ignored the promises he had made. This was a bold move that would prove to be an important turning point in the War. -
The U.S demanded that Japan withdraw from China and Indochina. Japan then decided to bomb Pearl Harbor where much of America's Navy Fleet was. Japan thought that attacking the U.S would provide them an easy win, and a territory with abundant land and resources to rule once they were victorious. The U.S is now forced to join WWII. -
The day right after the attack on Pearl Harbor, FDR says one of his most famous speeches.
“Yesterday, Dec. 7, 1941 - A date which will live in in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.”
This is part of the speech. There were rumors that the attack on Pearl Harbor was not true. FDR's speech openly stated that America was attacked and the U.S. is now entering WWII. -
Operation Overlord was the preparation for D-Day by the Allies. They spent 18 months preparing. Allied forces had 156,000 troops on or supported by nearly 5,400 ships crossed the English Channel landing the troops on five beaches in Normandy
12,000 planes including bombers, fighters, and troop planes. -
Rumors circulated among the black population that “whites” had thrown a black woman and her baby over the Belle Isle bridge. Enraged, many African-Americans stormed white districts where they looted and destroyed stores. The Military was forced to step in and take action. -
The beaches were stormed early that morning supported by about 23,000 airborne troops that had already landed behind enemy lines or getting ready to land in support of the beach assault and the push to Caen. The night before 23,000 paratroopers landed behind enemy lines to secure bridges and roads. This was also used to "soften the wall" of German troops. Within 7 days the Allies controlled 80 miles of the coast. -
FDR, Churchill and Stalin met to discuss the future of Europe after the War. World Organization (United Nations) is created and dismemberment of Germany into 4 occupation zones takes place.
They also talked about Russia’s entry into war against Japan. -
British and Soviet troops had jointly occupied Iran since 1941 to protect oil reserves from falling into German hands. At the end of the war, the British withdrew their troops, but the Soviets refused to withdraw their forces hoping to get massive oil concessions from the Iranians. America then had to threaten the Soviets to remove their soldiers. -
Right before the Potsdam Conference FDR died, so Truman replaces the Big 3. They discuss what is going to happen to Germany, Poland, and how the UN will handle Japan. -
“A shadow has fallen upon the scenes so lately lighted by the Allied victories… from Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the continent.”
Churchill talks about how countries in East Europe in the USSR had formed an "Iron Curtain" because now those countries do not interact with the rest of Europe. -
President Truman asked Congress for $400 million and aid plus US troops/advisors to help Greece and Turkey fight back the communist threat.
“The seeds of totalitarian regimes are nurtured by misery and want. They spread and grow in the evil soil of poverty and strife. They reach their full growth when the hope of a people for a better life has died. We must keep that hope alive...” -
Because Stalin wanted control over the entire city of Berlin, on June 23, 1948 the USSR imposed a complete blockade on railway, road and canal traffic leading to West Berlin from the allied German zone. No supplies of any type, including food, fuel and consumer goods, were allowed to enter West Berlin. Stalin wanted to starve the city into submission. -
President Truman decided that America was going to hold on to West Berlin and he chose an airlift from the options presented to him. The airlift would be used for keeping the city supplied with food, fuel and consumer goods. Anything would be dropped to West Berlin and the operation lasted one year. President Truman made it clear that if one cargo plane was shot down it would mean war between the US and USSR. -
In April 1949, Ten West European countries, The United States and Canada, signed the Washington Treaty, which created the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. An alliance which brings together free and sovereign countries in order to create a collective security system. The principal purpose of the alliance is specified in Article 5 which states that, “An armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all.” -
United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) declared North Korean actions constituted a breach of peace, recommending UN members provide assistance to South Korea to repel the attack and restore peace on the Korean Peninsula. General Douglas Macarthur was put in overall command of United Nations Forces. Macarthur made a brilliant invasion at Inchon which threatened to trap all the North Korean forces fighting near the Pusan perimeter. -
On October 19, 1950, Chinese communists troops invaded North Korea and pushed the UN armies back south of the 38th parallel. Macarthur was furious and wanted to nuke China for their actions. He then had to resign as general for his extreme thoughts. -
Former General Dwight D. Eisenhower was elected president in November 1952 with a pledge to go to Korea and end the war. On July 27th 1953, after three years of fighting, an armistice was signed ending the Korean war. Korea remained divided at the 38th Parallel. -
Khrushchev became the leader of the Soviet Union after Stalin’s death. He denounced the crimes of Stalin in a famous 1956 speech and set out to reform the USSR. Although he advocated “peaceful coexistence”, there were several serious encounters between the two superpowers while he was in office. In 1956, he announced at a UN speech that “We (USSR) will bury you (US)” -
On January 1, 1959, a revolution in Cuba successfully overthrew the Government. On January 6, Fidel Castro became premier and late communist dictator of Cuba. Castro started bringing Cuba close to the communist USSR starting with a trade agreement. John F. Kennedy became President of the U.S in 1961 and inherited a planned invasion of Cuba from the Eisenhower administration. Cuban exiles invaded Cuba but fail because Kennedy backed out of the invasion. -
Russia creates the Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM) in 1957. These were nuclear bomb carrying missiles with ranges over five thousand miles. No place on Earth was safe from nuclear destruction. -
October 4th 1957, the space age began as Russia launched Sputnik, the first artificial satellite to orbit the Earth. Americans were shocked that the Soviets were the first into space. The U.S did not get an object into orbit until January of 1958 after several embarrassing failures. -
A US U-2 reconnaissance (spy) plane was shot down over the Soviet Union and its pilot, Gary Powers, was captured and put on trial. Khrushchev used this incident to cancel a planned East-West summit conference in Paris. -
US Intelligence begins receiving reports of soviet missiles in Cuba. A U-2 flight on August 29th took photos over Cuba. Aerial photos from U.S spy planes left no doubt that the Russians were installing nuclear missiles in Cuba aimed at the U.S. Each one of the Russian Missiles in Cuba had the explosive power of 50 Hiroshima type atomic bombs. JFK decided to order a naval blockade on Cuba which forced them to surrender.